Alkylene Glycol Ether Steam Injection for Bitumen Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in situ bitumen recovery methods from oil sands, such as CSS and SAGD, have limited recovery percentages and require the injection of hydrocarbons, which can cause environmental contamination and increase processing costs.
Innovation Solution
Injecting a steam composition containing alkylene glycol ether with steam into subterranean oil sands, which facilitates bitumen extraction by reducing interfacial tension and improving flowability, even at low concentrations of alkylene glycol ether, thus avoiding the need for hydrocarbons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydrocarbon solvents are injected into subterranean oil sands to reduce bitumen viscosity, then bitumen flowability improves, but environmental contamination increases and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces carbon dioxide as an intermediary substance that mediates between the steam injection process and bitumen extraction. CO2 is injected along with steam, where it dissolves in the condensate to form carbonic acid, which then acts as a natural solvent to reduce bitumen viscosity and improve flowability without requiring harmful hydrocarbon solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction fluid by introducing CO2, which alters the pH and chemical composition of the condensate. This parameter change enables the condensate to effectively solvate bitumen and improve its flow properties without using conventional hydrocarbon solvents.
2Productivity
If large amounts of hydrocarbon solvents are injected to sufficiently dilute bitumen, then bitumen extraction efficiency improves, but the complexity of hydrocarbon recovery increases
Solution Approach 1:
Carbon dioxide serves as a mediator that enhances bitumen extraction efficiency without requiring large amounts of hydrocarbon solvents. The CO2-carbonic acid system provides sufficient dilution and viscosity reduction effects, eliminating the need for complex hydrocarbon recovery and recycling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs CO2, which is relatively inexpensive and can be injected in large amounts without requiring complex recovery systems. The CO2 acts as a disposable enhancement agent that simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for sophisticated hydrocarbon solvent recovery equipment.
3Temperature
If conventional steam injection is used to heat bitumen, then bitumen viscosity decreases, but recovery percentage remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges thermal heating (steam injection) with chemical enhancement (CO2 injection) into a single integrated process. The combination of thermal energy from steam and chemical action from CO2-derived carbonic acid produces a synergistic effect that achieves higher recovery percentages than either method alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection fluid becomes a composite system comprising steam, CO2, and water, which together create carbonic acid in situ. This composite fluid system provides both thermal heating and chemical solvation functions, significantly enhancing bitumen recovery compared to conventional steam alone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly enhances bitumen recovery percentages compared to traditional steam injection methods while minimizing environmental impact and processing costs, with improved thermal stability and reduced additive loss.
Implementation Method 1
steam is injected down a first well into subterranean oil sands. The steam penetrates the sands and lowers the viscosity of bitumen by heating the oil sands
Implementation Method 2
The co-injection of the steam and alkylene glycol ether facilitates extraction of the bitumen from the subterranean location by reducing interfacial tension and improving flowability
Implementation Method 3
Some of the carbon dioxide dissolves in the condensate to form carbonic acid, which reduces the viscosity of the bitumen and facilitates the bitumen extraction
Data Source
AI summary
A process includes: (a) injecting a steam composition into a subterranean location containing bitumen, the steam composition containing an alkylene glycol ether and steam, wherein the alkylene glycol ether is other than a glycol ether amine; and (b) recovering bitumen from the subterranean location to above the ground.